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More than 16 million Americans served in the military. It grew from 1.4 to more than 3 million. The navy had grown from 300,000 to over 600,000. The marines went from just 54,000 to almost 150,000. Americans from all different ethnic groups joined the military.
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Japan attacked the United States naval base Pearl Harbor at about 8:00 AM. Pearl Harbor is located on Oahu Island, Hawaii.
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The Americans suffered a big loss with 2,500 people killed. 8 Battleships were damaged badly 3 destroyers were left unstable, 3 light cruisers damaged, 160 aircrafts were destroyed and 128 more damaged.
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On December 8 Congress declared war on Japan with only one dissenting vote, Jeannette Rankin of Montana who had also voted against the United States entry into World War I.
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General Douglas MacArthur commander of United States Army forces in Asia had struggled to hold their positions in the Philippines.
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The War Production Board started up January 1942. The War Production Board was set up to oversee the conversation of peacetime industry to war.
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The Doolittle Raid was a surprise attack on Tokyo, Japan by the United States bombers during World War II. Although there was Little damage the raid boosted American morale at a low point in the war.
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General Douglas MacArthur was ordered to evacuate to Australia. He did not and they held out until May 5th, 1942. 75,000 Allied soldiers surrendered to Japanese forces. The Allies were malnourished and forced to walk 55 miles to up the Bataan Peninsula inland. Then get on a train to walk 8 more miles. More than 7,000 American and Filipino troops died.
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This battle gave hope to the American military in the Pacific. This was a sea fight between Japan and United States where enemy aircraft carriers could not see each other. Even though it was said to be a draw it was strategically a victory for the United States.
